For a change, I have very few comments, only that this matter is far from complete.. and I wish Darrian had stuck around..

Tiph Nightshade (1:05 PM): ::Tiphareth lingered for a long moment outside of the door... smirking at having found it to be repaired.. again, after her having kicked it in yet one more time the previous night.. She had an amusing thought as to how many doors they would have to go through, and then with a quick kick of her platformed armored boot encased foot, she demolished it once again::

Tiph Nightshade (1:07 PM): ::Neatly hopping over the scattered pieces, she cast strangely glowing prussian hued alien twins over the little bar, and it's pathetic little patrons.. gene filth she liked to call them, and smirked. Nothing was ever anything but inane and disheartening in this place, but at very least she could be thankful that she was used to it all.. She distractedly cast two locks of mahogany behind her delicate ears on her way to a lone table in the back of the room::

Walking traveler (1:09 PM): ::A lone traveler approaches the broken down door of the bar. Traveling cloak pulled tight about the body, hood pulled low over the head, the figure seemed, to any who looked, to be constantly enshrouded in the shadows. No matter where the figure moved, even if under direct light, nothing under the hood could be seen::

Walking traveler (1:10 PM): ::In fact, the only features that could be seen were the weather-worn hands that held the walking stick. Stepping without a sound over the broken pieces of the door, the traveler enters the bar and glances about slowly, hooded head passing over each other occupant in turn::

Walking traveler (1:11 PM): ::And then he saw her. Immediately taking long, fluid strides with an errie unnatural silence to the rear of the bar where she now sat, the traveler approached her. While weaving throughout the various tables and patrons, the cowl kept low over the head, the figure's eyes were locked on her. Tiphareth Nightshade::

Walking traveler (1:12 PM): ::the ShinRa soldier gone solo, the wife of Darrian Nightsahde, family member of the Watchmen, Tiphareth Nightshade..the traveler's last hope. With calm, smooth strides, the figure finally reaches her table, standing a small distance from her. Pausing to be sure her attention belongs to the traveler, a low soft voice can be heard:: Hello Tiph. It has been long

Tiph Nightshade (1:13 PM): ::Her every toned inch was sensually hugged by the conforming folds of her armored suit, the inky black of the indefinabe material was so deep a shade that it seemed to drink in all light even remotely close to her.. there were a few patches of hues other than sable but by far the vast majority of it was black.. Feeling eyes on her first, she sat upright in her seat and was not surprised to spy someone approaching her. She quirked a brow so deeply brown it was practically black and that soft smooth voice rose up gently from her throat:: Ah.. you seem to know me, but as of yet I don't recall having met you... care to share who you might be?

DarianNightshade (1:14 PM): ::The glint of those trademark shades flashed lightly in the shadow nearest to his wife.. A slender caramel hand reached plaintivly out to lightly rest on her shoulder, the Shadow Walker's Assassins insignia flashing dully in the newfound light upon his ring finger. He smiled mockingly at the traveler, his lean form shrouded by the shadows.::

Tiph Nightshade (1:16 PM): ::She turned and quickly kissed the hand newly found upon her shoulder, smiling up at her beloved for a long moment, and then turned back to the mysterious traveler, wondering still who he or she might be, and moreso, what they wanted with her::

Walking traveler (1:17 PM): ::The cloaked figure's form shook as a low raspy laugh could be heard emmitting from beneath the folds of the cloak. Leaning on the walking stick slightly now for a bit of support, the traveler laughed for a moment longer before speaking once more, an amused strain on the voice:: You are mistaken Tiph. You do, in fact, know me..

Walking traveler (1:18 PM): ::Noticing the third member of the party as Darrian to be joining them behind his beloved's back, a small nod could be distinguished:: And Darrian, it does not surprise me that you are here either. Never let it be said, whenever Tiphareth was near, Darrian would not be nearer.

DarianNightshade (1:18 PM): Can I kill it.. ::He whispered in a soft, controlled tone as his other hand slid into the breast pocket of his suit coat, curling around the well worn handle of the death dealing weapon of choice. His smile slid from his face as he awaited her answer.. replaced by an openly hostile frown.::

Tiph Nightshade (1:19 PM): From what I can so far see.. which is not a lot.. I don't.. ::She furrowed up her delicate brow and eyed them a bit more intensely, barely stopping herself from rising from her seat and casting back the concealing hood.. her curiosity was gnawing at her brain so that she almost couldn't stand it any longer:: Are you being coy on purpose? ::Then she turned back to Darrian, and ran a soothing hand up his chest as she rose to place a soft kiss on his cheek:: Not yet love... I want to find out who this is..

DarianNightshade (1:21 PM): But I want to kill it.. ::He whispered softly, his voice a faint growl as his knuckles whitened on the pommel of his favorite blade. He would go home later and resharpen the dagger, it seemed he couldn't shave with it anymore.. he considered calling to Fransdrutch, but he would wait to see what developed first.::

Walking traveler (1:22 PM): ::A small shake of the hooded head responded:: Coy? No, not coy. I have due reason as to why I am thus dressed. Tell me... ::with these words the figure slowly reached into the folds of the traveling cloak, as if reaching for something::

Tiph Nightshade (1:23 PM): I'm sure you do love, but so far there's no reason to.. and I am dying to see who this will turn out to be.. ::She kissed his cheek again and sat back down slowly, not exactly at ease but not tense either as of yet, for there was no need to be.. She drummed long perfect plain nails against the tabletop and waited for them to finish..::

Walking traveler (1:26 PM): ::The hooded face locked directly onto Tiph the figure pulled out a small object in a clenched fist and spoke once more:: Tell me Tiph..where is my wife? ::And with these words, the figure flicked a small metal object to her, it's brilliance so great any speck of light that caught it made it sparkle with such beauty it left the viewer breathless::

Tiph Nightshade (1:28 PM): How would I know your wife..? I don't know who the hell you are yet... ::She leaned toward him a bit now, knowing finally that it was indeed a him.. and furrowed up her delicate brow once more, clasping the object in her right tattooed hand as she caught it, looking alternately down at it, and then back up to what was hidden inside that hood::

Walking traveler (1:28 PM): ::The small object, as Tiph could now see, was a small ring made of pure platinum, polished so meticiosuly it shone like a bright night star. Set in it's center was a single white saphirre stone that shone like the brightest of mage's spells. On the inside of the band were the initial N.D.::

Tiph Nightshade (1:32 PM): ::She choked and sputtered, her eyes went wide and her mouth dropped open with the immediate thoughts.. but she didn't jump to conclusions, and somehow found it within her to keep relatively calm.. she had to see him before she would believe it, however, if it turned out to be anyone but him, the coincidence would be uncanny..::

Walking traveler (1:35 PM): ::A small nod in Tiph's direction told her what she was doubtless thinking was indeed the truth:: Yes Tiphareth, you do know who I am.

Walking traveler (1:35 PM): ::A small strain of urgency could then be heard in his voice:: Now tell me, please, where is my wife? If any would know it would be you..

Tiph Nightshade (1:38 PM): ::She stood quickly and fought to keep a composed look on her face with a small amount of difficulty, looking with disgust at the rest of the tavern, she shook her head once very slowly and muttered softly to him:: This is not the place to be discussing this

Walking traveler (1:39 PM): ::A slight nod could be seen beneath the heavy folds of the black hooded cloak:: Very well. Lead on Tiphareth, I shall follow

Tiph Nightshade (1:40 PM): ::She chanted a soft incantation, after taking ahold of his arm lightly, and upon its completion they were both teleported off to her Obelisk::

Tiph Nightshade (1:43 PM): ::She handed the ring back to him and kept a dignified composure in her tone:: You have to understand my being wary... I need a little proof that it's actually you before I even think of telling you where Nich is.. ::Her voice lowered a tad:: She's been hurt enough

Walking traveler (1:46 PM): ::The figure stood told tall and unmoving for a long moment, as if contemplating over this request for a long moment:: Very well... ::With slow and tedious movements, the hands lifted up to grasp the cowl:: I warn you though...I am not the same...

Tiph Nightshade (1:49 PM): ::She nodded briefly and crossed her arms over her chest, tapping a toe against the smooth polished stone floor, shadowed against the backside of the fifty foot monolith, and virtually the only clear part of her to be seen clearly was her glowing eyes, which were now relatively cold, and cautious::

Walking traveler (1:56 PM): ::With a small sigh the figure pulled back the hood revealing his face to her. The emerald eyes were the same, though they possessed an almost haunted look in them as they fell upon her. The close cut hair was the same, but the face was not. A series of scratches and scars criss-crossed over his face, as though raked by the very demons of Hell itself::

Tiph Nightshade (1:59 PM): ::She hardened her eyes:: I told you once, a long time ago, that if you ever hurt my friend I would kill you for it, do you remember that? Do you have any idea what kind of trauma she had to suffer when you just up and left without a word?

Walking traveler (2:01 PM): ::Crossing over his eyes, along his cheeks, the scars were fairly fresh, though healed and no longer able to break open and bleed any longer. His face was a living definition of horrendous agony and hatred:: Yes...I remember, and I do not doubt you would do every claim you made to me, but before you do, let me try to explain

Tiph Nightshade (2:02 PM): ::She nodded faintly and stood listening::

Walking traveler (2:06 PM): ::Closing his eyes and taking a breath he removed the cloak, no longer needing to remain an enigma. Beneath the cloak, he wore black pants and boots, though no shirt. His chest too was criss-crossed with the scars and scratches that similarily covered his face. Opening his eyes once more he looked back to her:: Do you recall the time prior to my leaving?

Tiph Nightshade (2:08 PM): Yes, somewhat, but she does moreso than I no doubt.. ::She reached out a tentative hand to trapise slowly, gingerly over a scar or two, murmuring:: What happened to you.. ::Whether it was an actual question or a rhetorical, that was impossible to discern::

Walking traveler (2:09 PM): Nich had been gone for a long time, back to Paris...something to do with her clan demanding her back... ::At her touch, a sharp flinch suddenly crossed his face:: They are a part of the story.

Tiph Nightshade (2:11 PM): ::She nodded:: I know, she told me all of it.. ::She drew back her hand quickly, as if it had been burned, and crossed her arms over her chest slowly, keeping her glowing eyes fixed on his face as he spoke::

Walking traveler (2:14 PM): For those long weeks while she was gone, I was nothing more than a shell. The projection of the man I was attempting to be, but in truth, I was nothing more than a lifeless wreck without her. As you know, I had made plans to marry her on her return..

Tiph Nightshade (2:16 PM): ::She nodded again, and took in a short breath, urging him to continue. She muttered something in her alien tongue, the syllables foreign exotic and strange to mortal as well as immortal ears, apart from her own and her partner's... She levitated to a position about four feet off the grounf, in a seated stance, upon completion of her verse::

Walking traveler (2:16 PM): And then, one night, I received a letter from her. Telling me where she was. You see, the whole time she was gone, I had not a clue as to her whereabouts. So when I got that letter from her ::at this point he absentmindedly reached into his pant pockets::

Walking traveler (2:18 PM): When I found out where she was and the ideas of what those monsters could potentially be doing to my beloved ran through my mind I began to go crazy. I was desperate for her to return, to know that she was alright and that we would, indeed, be married as we had planned.

Tiph Nightshade (2:19 PM): ::She quirked a brow sharply, her eyes going to the pocket he reached for. A small gust of chill wind rushed over the landscape and though she wasn't exactly in the warmest of attire, she made no motions of shivering or anything like it, too engrossed in the story to pay much attention to anything else::

Walking traveler (2:20 PM): The idea that she was being tortured was too much for me to bear. ::As he spoke his eyes began to pick up a glazed look, as though he was thinking back to the time he spoke of. His voice became distant and he spoke moreso as though in a trancelike state::

Tiph Nightshade (2:21 PM): ::She thought of her complete and total lack in the ability to show sympathy at that moment for some unplacable reason, but shrugged it off and returned her full attention to his tale::

Walking traveler (2:22 PM): I simply had to do something to aide her, but what was I to do?! I was but a mere mortal, and these were Vampires. Vampires! Nich alone could have easily killed me at any time, yet she didn't. From the stories she had told me of her kin..they would not be so merciful. I didn't care though

Walking traveler (2:24 PM): In my state, I very well would have gone to Paris and hunted down the only love my life has ever seen mortal or not. In fact, one night, I had decided to make the trek and find her and save her from whatever horrors she may have been receiving.

Walking traveler (2:25 PM): I had packed all of my belongings that I felt I would need for the journey and went to the bar to buy a few provisions and perhaps see if Tay was there and would care to journey with me.

Tiph Nightshade (2:25 PM): ::She furrowed her brow then and sighed softly::

Walking traveler (2:29 PM): ::His voice ran on like a monotony:: The bar was unusually empty that night though. Devoid of hardly any life, I remember finding it ironiclly similar to how I had been feeling over the days. ::A small sardonic smile crossed his face. As his tale continued though, the smile was instantly erased for his face and he grew quite serious once more::

Tiph Nightshade (2:29 PM): ::Running an idle hand slowly through her wind tangled tresses, she began to chew her lower lip, a bad habit if you will... not even thinking about the fact that she was doing it, all her attention spent into listening to him attempt to explain::

Walking traveler (2:32 PM): There was someone at the bar that night though. A stranger to these parts I suspect, for I had never seen the likes of him before. An odd looking old man... dark-skinned as though he spent all his life under the sun, bald, and with mismatching eyes. One a firey red, the other an ice blue.

Walking traveler (2:34 PM): As I sat at the bar, he began speaking to me about a magical island that was rumored to exsist to the south. I was wary at first, of course, but for some reason, I could not ignore him. He soon had my utter attention as I sat in rigid silence, waiting in rapture for him to tell me more.

Tiph Nightshade (2:34 PM): ::She turned up her nose at the mental image that garnered her, not envying him meeting up with such an ugly fellow... Tiphareth had grown to appreciate things of beauty and somewhat snobbishly looked upon things that were less than pleasing to the eye.. as odd a trait as that might have been, yet there it still was::

Walking traveler (2:35 PM): He told me that on this island lived such a powerful species of beings and that they had the ability to grant anyone who so desired to ask them incredible abilities and powers, making any mortal more powerful than ever

Tiph Nightshade (2:39 PM): ::She nodded again, letting him know he had her attention still, and waited for the next installment of his story::

Walking traveler (2:41 PM): ::his voice dropped to a harsh whisper at this point:: Demons, Tiph...fire demons from the far east. Jinns, they are called.

Tiph Nightshade (2:42 PM): Never heard of them.. ::She mused distractedly, then quieted down and sat in silence once more, hovering midair::

Walking traveler (2:44 PM): He did not tell me this of course, I did not discover their true nature until I reached the island he spoke of. I paid a hefty amount of my savings for a map he was willing to sell to me. I left that very night for Jinnidian. I spent the next few weeks traveling there.

Walking traveler (2:45 PM): By the time I had reached that island, I was like a man possessed. I had fought so many enemies on my travels, nothing was going to stop me from reaching my goals.

Walking traveler (2:46 PM): But when I finally made it onto the island and found entrance to the huge fortress I found there I realized what I was facing. ::He paused, unsure of if she knew how the Jinn worked::

Tiph Nightshade (2:46 PM): ::She gave a faint nod, and ruffled her wings, which had begun to stiffen slightly, a swirling column of loosed ivory and onyx feathers wafting their haphazard way earthward, to litter the floor beneath her::

Tiph Nightshade (2:47 PM): I know nothing of them ::Her tone was matter of fact::

Walking traveler (2:47 PM): You see, the Jinn, in a sense, can indeed grant anyone with incredible abilities and powers. They are demons from Hell, the most powerful of Jinns being Iblis, or in other names, Satan, Lucifer, or the Devil.

Tiph Nightshade (2:49 PM): ::She half nodded, taking this new information into account::

Walking traveler (2:49 PM): They can do what the old man claimed, but at a price. One must forsake their beliefs and give their soul to the Jinn. The Jinn are powerful magic users though and they used their magics to hide their true natures from me, though at my state at the time, I doubt it would have made a difference. I would have done what I did without being under their seductive spell

Tiph Nightshade (2:50 PM): That being...? ::She was leading him to speak, or so it seemed::

Walking traveler (2:52 PM): ::He looked up to where she sat now, an expression of total somberness on his face:: In the end, my soul was handed over to the Jinn..

Tiph Nightshade (2:54 PM): Hmm.. well you might not have known this, but my soul doesn't exactly belong to me either ::Her tone was amused at that, and she shielded her eyes, looking down for a long moment, longing for Darrian and almost trembling.. but all of that was unnoticable, and she soon composed herself and looked back up again::

Walking traveler (2:55 PM): Somehow my willpower overwhelmed the spell and I saw what the beings truly were, and I immediately tried to escape their fortress. The Jinn took it all as a mere game. They toyed with me all across their island, sending their various minions out to hunt me down. Joyeux served me faithfully however, and I battled each one off in individual combat.

Walking traveler (2:56 PM): I barely survived the battles, these scars ::he motioned all over his body:: are the wounds dealt to me. In the end though, one of the 5 Jinn himself came after me and hunted me down. I, of course, stand no chance againist a Jinn and was quickly overcome.

Tiph Nightshade (2:57 PM): Not so bad for a mortal... ::She smirked a little and called to her blades, which came to her, ever obediently, as always, and she laid them gently across her lap, not planning to use them, which could always change later.. She had merely missed them and simply did what was needed to ameliorate the problem::

Walking traveler (2:58 PM): I awoke strapped to an alter back within the fortress, with the 5 Jinn standing over me. Their faces sneered at me with such malice I was sure I would be killed.

Tiph Nightshade (2:59 PM): Still alive though.. ::She muttered quietly, caressing slowly over one Masamune's hilt, almost lovingly, truly these two swords were dear to her, even though they were inanimate objects, affection she took the time to show them none the less::

Walking traveler (3:00 PM): ::He nodded:: Yes, I lived, but after the torturing I was put through by those demons, I wish at times that I had, in fact, died instead.

Tiph Nightshade (3:01 PM): Death wishes are hardly few and far between these days ::She remarked coolly::

Walking traveler (3:02 PM): ::A thin smile spread across his face as he spoke:: But now, I have come to terms with it. There is nothing I can do now. It's my own fault really. I was so driven to be given such ultimate power, well, I got it.

Walking traveler (3:02 PM): One of the 5 Jinn now possesses me, lives within me, and is capable of surfacing on a whim. That is how they grant you such powers.

Tiph Nightshade (3:03 PM): I see... Well that should pose more than a few problems, yes? And I shudder to think of what effect that will have on Nich..

Walking traveler (3:05 PM): ::He nodded:: Yes well, of course I've been trying to find ways to rid myself of such a being, but not, of course, until I've aided Nich, if she is still in need of it. There are rumors of ways to exorcise a Jinn from one's body, but until I know where Nich is, I am willing to live with this symbiose

Tiph Nightshade (3:08 PM): Nich is safe from whatever may have desire to cause her pain, and you get to her through me and me alone.. I am sorry to report that there have been a few inconsistencies in your story there, from what she has told me, and so I have yet to trust you Jacen, if that is indeed who you actually are.. ::She dropped to her feet quickly:: Time grows short however, and I must go..

Walking traveler (3:10 PM): ::His eyes grew wide and obvious confusion could be seen:: Wait! Where are you going?? What inconsistencies?! Where is she Tiph?! I AM Jacen Silvermoon

Tiph Nightshade (3:12 PM): ::She laughed softly:: I don't have time to go into ALL of them but until I actually see Jacen Silvermoon with my own eyes instead of some seemingly well informed liar, no Nich for you. ::With that she turned and was on her way out::

Tiph Nightshade (3:13 PM): ::A glimmer of sunlight on metal, and the echo of her finished verse, and Tiphareth was suddenly gone, leaving absolutely no trace to betray the fact that she had been there::